Lane Kiffin press conference: What new LSU head coach said about decision to take job with Tigers

Daniel Chavkin

•
Lane Kiffin press conference: What new LSU head coach said about decision to take job with Tigers image

The Lane Kiffin saga is over, as the former Ole Miss head coach has officially taken the head coach position at LSU.

Kiffin's decision comes after a long, drawn-out process, but results in the veteran coach leaving the Rebels for their SEC rival. As a result, Kiffin will not coach Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff, despite Kiffin's attempts to get the Rebels to allow him to finish the season.

On Monday, the Tigers introduced Kiffin to the media in Baton Rouge, giving Kiffin a chance to explain his side of the story. As Kiffin decided to pass up on coaching in the College Football Playoff to join LSU, many people were interested to hear why he made that choice.

By coaching LSU, Kiffin will be a head coach at his third different SEC school, not including his stop as Alabama's offensive coordinator. After this saga, Kiffin will enter next year as one of the biggest villains in college football, with every SEC team looking to take him down.

AllSportsPeople tracked live updates from Lane Kiffin's introductory press conference at LSU. Here are all the updates from Baton Rouge.

MORE: Why Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss for LSU

Lane Kiffin press conference live updates

All times ET.

5:40 p.m. -- The press conference ends and Kiffin is presented with an LSU jersey that says "Kiffin" with the number 26. 

5:37 p.m. -- Kiffin was asked if the decision from Ole Miss not to let him coach the playoff made him consider not taking the job. He explained that he had already told them he was leaving for LSU. Kiffin did say that he hates he didn't get to talk to and explain his side of it to his players. He ended his press conference by re-iterating that he respected their decision. 

5:35 p.m. -- Kiffin is asked about signing day coming up. He said that he has no concerns about players wanting to come play for him at LSU. Kiffin mentioned he knew the interest level to play for him at the old place [Ole Miss], so he has no doubts the interest will be there at LSU.

5:33 p.m. -- Kiffin joked that he called Ed Orgeron and told him that passing by Tiger Stadium made him want to take like Ed. 

5:31 p.m.: Kiffin said when he was leaving Mississippi, he felt the sorrow of all the Ole Miss fans who were upset at him. Then, when he landed in Baton Rouge and saw the facilities, that feeling went away.

5:28 p.m.: On what AD Ausberry told him, Kiffin said it was "I'm gonna leave you alone to coach the team," which he loved.

5:26 p.m.: Kiffin hopes that Ole Miss fans can eventually remember his time as their head coach fondly, but acknowledges how much vitriol he saw from them after leaving. However, he understands that's just SEC fans being passionate.

5:24 p.m.: Kiffin laments having to make this decision mid-season and hopes college football eventually changes the hiring rules.

5:22 p.m.: Kiffin claims he doesn't know what his contract is because he didn't make the decision based on money. The head coach is reportedly making $13 million a year for the next seven years.

5:19 p.m.: Kiffin mentioned he had many chances to leave Ole Miss over the years, but the alignment and resources at LSU were what he was looking for.

5:17 p.m.: Kiffin confirms that interim head coach Frank Wilson will coach LSU in its bowl game.

5:16 p.m.: Kiffin stresses how much he felt the pressure as an opponent playing LSU in Baton Rouge, and how excited he is to be on the other sideline.

5:14 p.m.: Kiffin says his offense is based around what he saw Nick Saban, Pete Carroll and Monte Kiffin struggle with in their times as defensive coaches.

5:12 p.m.: Kiffin said everyone that he talked to about this decision advised him to take the LSU job. That likely includes Pete Carroll and Nick Saban. He added that everyone outside of Mississippi said he would regret not taking the job.

5:10 p.m.: On why he has succeeded recently, Kiffin credits great players and coaches, along with looking for new ideas and constantly staying ahead of the curve.

5:08 p.m.: Kiffin mentions he tried "every possible thing" to try and coach Ole Miss through the end of the season, and that there is no ill-will from him towards the school for saying no.

5:07 p.m.: Kiffin says he wants to bring the best players to LSU and that starts with keeping Louisiana talent in-state.

5:06 p.m.: Kiffin mentions that speaking at his dad's funeral gave him a unique perspective on the people his dad, a beloved football coach, touched in his career.

5:04 p.m.: Kiffin calls his six years at Ole Miss the best years of his life, but the opportunity at LSU was too good to pass up since it is the "best job in college football."

5:03 p.m.: Kiffin calls LSU "different" and "one of the elite programs in al of sports." He also described leaving Ole Miss as "difficult" and admits he wanted to coach the team in the College Football Playoff.

5:02 p.m.: Kiffin opens his press conference by thanking his family and the LSU administration, along with Lousiana governor Jeff Landry.

4:58 p.m.: Ausberry says that Kiffin was the school's top target for the job and embodies what the school wants in its head coach.

4:57 p.m.: Now new LSU AD Verge Ausberry takes the mic to give his thanks for his first head coach search.

4:55 p.m.: LSU president Dr. Wade Rousse opens the press conference by welcoming the Kiffin family to Baton Rouge.

4:53 p.m.: Lane Kiffin and the rest of the LSU group has entered the room as the press conference is beginning.

4:50 p.m.: Kiffin has still yet to arrive to the press conference, but media members are there ready for the new LSU head coach.

4:35 p.m.: The Lane Kiffin press conference will begin soon, but LSU posted the link to the broadcast here.

4:23 p.m.: LSU has pulled out all the stops for the Kiffin press conference.

4:09 p.m.: Ahead of his press conference, Kiffin spoke to ESPN's Marty Smith on Sunday about his decision.

3:55 p.m.: Kiffin arrived in Baton Rouge late last night after securing a seven-year deal.

3:41 p.m.: LSU will announce Lane Kiffin as the 37th head coach in program history this afternoon.

MORE: Lane Kiffin's decision surprises no one

When is Lane Kiffin's press conference?

  • Date: Monday, Dec. 1
  • Time: 4:30 p.m. ET

Kiffin will be introduced as LSU's new head coach on Monday, Dec. 1 at 4:30 p.m. ET, which is 3:30 p.m. Local time in Baton Rouge.

MORE: Why Lane Kiffin won't coach in the College Football Playoff

How to watch Lane Kiffin's press conference?

LSU will introduce Kiffin as the football program's new head coach on their YouTube channel.

MORE: Meet Lane Kiffin's family, including his QB son

Why did Lane Kiffin leave Ole Miss for LSU?

Lane Kiffin chose to take the LSU job as he becomes one of the highest-paid coaches in all of college football. Additionally, LSU has a much richer football tradition than Ole Miss, especially when it comes to SEC championships and national championships.

However, by leaving Ole Miss now, Kiffin is making the bet that he will have chances to win national championships in the future, passing up the chance to coach in the College Football Playoff this year.

MORE: Complete winners, losers from Lane Kiffin's move to LSU

What is Lane Kiffin's salary at LSU?

According to Nola.com, Kiffin's contract with LSU is for seven years and $91 million, which will give Kiffin $13 million per season. That makes Kiffin the second-highest paid coach in college football, only trailing Georgia's Kirby Smart.

Content Producer

Staff Writer